Second Try Idol

Chapter 110: Blue Room Party (7)

No matter how skilled one was, it was tough for a trainee to refuse the agency's schedule. Kim Jin-Wook could have been able to get away from group activities if he or the other members objected, but he had to follow the agency's decisions for individual schedules no matter how stubborn he was. Therefore, as a powerless new idol and trainee, Kim Jin-Wook had no choice but to meet me again.

“Weren't you two close? Or are you just quiet because you're nervous?"

“...”

“...No, we're not close."

I didn’t have much to say back to Supervisor Kim's teasing. Both of us were unhappy about being forced to see each other again.

“I should've just said no," I said as I let out a sigh.

“No, you agreed, so no regrets, okay? You wanted this." Kim Jin-Wook shot me a glare and then looked away.

In YU Entertainment's recording studio, the space buzzed with activity as cameras, lights, and staff filled the room. Kim Jin-Wook had to join in for the lip-syncing as he was featured in my solo song, all in preparation for creating the video.

“Hyun-Woo, are those your own clothes?" the stylist asked while adjusting my hair.

“Huh? Oh, yes." I was in a simple outfit—a white t-shirt and black pants tucked in.

However, the stylist seemed impressed. “It's simple and nice. Let's just go with what you're wearing."

She finished up by adding some bracelets and rings on me.

“All set? Just lip-sync to what we've already recorded, and we can wrap up fast. Hyun-Woo, go on in."

“Okay." I rose from the couch and headed to the recording booth. Lights and cameras crowded in after me.

“Hyun-Woo, are you ready?"

“Yes!" I donned the headset and positioned myself before the mic. When the music started, I began lip-syncing.

Is there a place to step,

Or nowhere to stand?

Suddenly, anxiety creeps in?

Following Producer Do's advice to write from experience, I filled the lyrics with my emotions and memories. Therefore, it turned out into something more poetic with his help.

Even if I run nonstop, there's no end in sight,

Time keeps slipping by, leaving me behind

The resolutions that once tore through my heart...?

Despite the unchanging reality,

I gaze at the dawning day and murmur,

Once more, just once more?

I was just listening and following the song, but I started feeling teary. Black and white memories of my trainee days kept surfacing, making me more emotional.

I used to envy those footsteps.

Maybe this is my final stop?

Feeling anxious when I halt my run

My breathing is rough,

And the morning begins without me

To the boy who once wanted to give up,

Opportunity whispers again,

Once more, just once more?

It was a song that consoled me, who had once been lost in despair and on the brink of giving up. Yet, it was also a song meant to uplift those who found themselves in similar situations. With Joo-Han's melody and my heartfelt lyrics, it was no surprise that it moved me deeply; after all, I was the writer behind its emotional resonance.

Thank goodness it was just lip-syncing. If it had been a live performance, it would've taken all day.

As my part ended, Kim Jin-Wook's rap started. Unlike how he looked in person, his lyrics were incredibly delicate.

I maintained composure as I passed his part. After that, I leaned in closer to the mic for my next lines. The camera shifted to capture me from a different angle, and I closed my eyes, mouthing the lyrics once more.

It's going to be okay.

At the end of this long run, there'll be a finish line,

It's alright,

Dreams do come true after trials?

The song came to an end. I opened my eyes and looked at the outside of the recording booth.

- Great job, Hyun-Woo. Come on out.

“Huh? Is it over already?”

- Yeah, well done.

I awkwardly took off my headset and put it down. Compared to the music video shoot, it ended embarrassingly quickly. Emerging from the booth, I showed uncertain feelings on my face, wondering if it was okay to finish my part in one take without any retakes.

“Isn't this too quick? Supervisor Kim, you didn't even check the camera."

“Don't worry, Hyun-Woo. I've done this more than a couple of times."

‘Well, he will handle it, I suppose.’ It was no use to stress over something that couldn’t be changed. So, I just nodded nonchalantly to Supervisor Kim's words and sat down on the couch.

While I was talking with Supervisor Kim, Kim Jin-Wook entered the booth and put the headset around his neck.

“Jin-Wook, just relax. If something's wrong, tell us immediately."

- ...Okay.

“You got this!”

- ...

Kim Jin-Wook pretended not to hear Supervisor Kim and put on the headset. He had probably figured out how tiresome Supervisor Kim was as a person while I was shooting.

“Play the MR."

“Okay.”

The staff promptly played the MR as instructed by Supervisor Kim. The track moved to just before the rap part, and Kim Jin-Wook started nodding to the rhythm, mouthing the lyrics.

The boy's hope is trampled even with gritted teeth and effort,

Nothing goes as planned,

Blocked on all sides,

Enemies everywhere?

I was amazed when I first received Kim Jin-Wook's recording and the transcribed text, but it was especially much more impressive when heard through good speakers.

Falling, kneeling, tears flowing,

Stand up again,

Close your eyes,

And run,

Becoming an adult wounded like a child?

I could hardly believe these delicate and emotional lyrics came from Kim Jin-Wook. This was why people loved Cold E Chil's songs so much.

But it's okay,

When light seeps into your closed eyelids,

Slowly open your eyes,

And before you know it, you'll be holding your dream?

Kim Jin-Wook also finished shooting in one take. He seemed uncertain whether it was okay to end so quickly as well, but after leaving the booth and greeting the higher-ups, he disappeared without even looking at me. It was an indifferent farewell, uncharacteristic of people who had shared such great lyrics. However, I wasn't particularly bothered by it.

That evening, the video for my solo song was completed and sent to me. Since it was shot without any mistakes, editing must have been easy.

‘But... isn’t this too fast?’ I was almost worried. But putting my concerns aside, the video turned out to be surprisingly good, worthy of being an official video. It was indeed a well-packaged gift for the fans.

Relaxing and enjoying the video after the perfect first verse, I stopped at the last part of the video.

[Congratulations on your debut, Hyun-Woo. Love you.]

I paused at the message written in Joo-Han's handwriting and then burst out laughing.

***

Once Again @sudm · 50 minutes ago

It is a song to listen to alone in your room when you're really tired and need comfort.

#SuhHyun-Woo_Once_Again

Thanks for the gift to the Rings. And thank you, Jin Wook, for the rap.

Replies RT 23 Likes 41

Luce @RUS_20 · 40 minutes ago

So many emotions packed into a song in less than five minutes. It touched my heart as I could tell how Joo-Han must have felt writing this song for Hyun-Woo, what Hyun-Woo felt writing the lyrics, and their struggles till now.

#SuhHyun-Woo_Once_Again

Replies 1 RT 5 Likes 23

└JinSungChaCha @jincha · 1 minute ago

Replying to @RUS_20

Right?! I almost cried when Joo-Han's message came up at the end...

Chronos Fan Account @crolol · 2 minutes ago

(Joo-Han's message in the video)

You can see how much Joo-Han cherishes Hyun-Woo... I wondered why Joo-Han gave Hyun-Woo a solo song, but it makes sense since they trained together for so long. Hyun-Woo's debut must have been special.

#SuhHyun-Woo_Once_Again

Congrats on your first solo, Hyun-Woo! Please release it officially... It's too good to end here.

Replies 2 RT 221 Likes 325

Dovi @dovi · 5 minutes ago

But besides Joo-Han's message, the song itself is a masterpiece, and Hyun-Woo's voice is so good... I've been a fan of Hyun-Woo's vocals, but this is the first time I've heard them so fully. It's clear yet powerful and filled with sadness... Fans will know what I mean...

#SuhHyun-Woo_Once_Again

Replies 3 RT 352 Likes 886

The video for “Once Again” was uploaded to UTube. It was my first solo, so I was worried about the fans' reactions. However, thankfully, many seemed to resonate with it and like the lyrics.

“Hey, are they not releasing the song?"

“Probably not." I let out a sigh, and Goh Yoo-Joon lamented, “It's such a good song though. You have it, right? Can you send it to me?"

“Well, I was thinking about uploading the song on BlueBird anyway."

“Hyung, send it to me too! I almost memorized the lyrics."

“Share it here as well. The song is good, and Hyun-Woo hyung's vocals really fit it...."

I gladly shared the song with the members. Watching us excitedly discuss the solo song through the rearview mirror, our manager grinned. “Jin-Sung, have you been listening to the song a lot? Can’t believe you even memorized the lyrics."

“Of course. I'd do the same even if it was another artist's song on a music site."

“For Jin-Sung, who usually doesn't listen to ballads, to say this means it's genuine." After Goh Yoo-Joon said this, he and Lee Jin-Sung laughed and looked at the manager.

“Then, Jin-Sung, how about singing the rap part on the radio later?"

The lively car suddenly went silent.

“...Me?" Jin-Sung asked, doubting his ears.

The manager calmly nodded. “Instead of playing Jin Wook's part from the MR, wouldn't it be better if one of the members sang it?"

“Me?"

“Yeah, you. In Chronos, it's either you or Yoo-Joon who does rap, but Yoo-Joon is already doing a solo cover. So, it'd be good if you did it, right?"

“Umm...." Jin-Sung hesitated to answer as he wasn’t too confident in anything other than dancing. Moreover, he felt a bit inferior because Jin Wook had done his part really well.

“Jin-Sung will do fine. He did great in ‘Parade’ and ‘Chronos,’" I said

“Right. He was good at the last live show. He's improved a lot after learning from Hyun-Woo."

Only after Goh Yoo-Joon’s encouragement did Jin-Sung reluctantly nod. It was indeed problematic when someone like Jin-Sung or Yoon-Chan was too self-aware.

“I'll try. Hyung, can I borrow your phone?" After the live show, Jin-Sung's lively nature returned, but at this moment, he became serious. He took the Chronos communal phone and hummed the rap part repeatedly, looking both admirable and funny. The other members also stopped chatting, not wanting to distract him.

There was still some distance to the broadcasting station, so I murmured the lyrics of “Once Again,” gradually getting used to my somewhat awkward song.